I think I just got my
period. There’s a lot of brown stuff in my underwear (and I know it’s not poop
‘cause, well, I’d know). There’s no redness in it though, so is it blood or
something else?

You’re getting close, girlie! Brown discharge is old
blood—it turns brown because it has oxidized as it made its way out of your
body. It’s totally normal to see this kind of discharge in the months leading
up to your first true-blue period. Don’t be freaked; just start to prepare for
Aunt Flo to come visiting on the regular.

For now, you can wear panty liners to keep your undies clean,
or light or junior tampons. And for the future, it’s smart to toss some pads,
tampons and a change of undies in your locker (in a cute, opaque little bag, of
course!) and your backpack or purse, just in case.